th, Premier Blaine Higgs announced the implementation of the third phase (Yellow) of business reactivation in New Brunswick as of Friday, May 22^nd. New Brunswickers can expect the modified re-opening of services and business such as personal service businesses, swimming pools, saunas, waterparks, gyms, yoga studios, and dance studios, rinks, and indoor recreational facilities, pool halls, bowling alleys, and low contact team sports, among others, the transition to Phase 3 of COVID-19 recovery has also loosened restrictions on golf courses. Under Phase 3 (Yellow), individuals are still required to maintain maintaining physical distancing measures along with continued adherence to the general guidelines from Public Health and the Guidelines for New Brunswick Workplaces issued by WorkSafe NB. During Phase 2 of COVID-19 recovery, Golf facilities were granted permission to prepare an operational plan that meets or exceeds the general guidelines from Public Health. As the province moves into the Yellow Phase of NB’s COVID-19 Recovery, the following that could impact golf courses in NB;

• Extension of Bubble Families to Family and Friends Bubble Your household bubble will be extended to all close friends and family that you would normally see on a regular basis. These will no longer be exclusive. Large gatherings beyond that circle would be discouraged.

• Increased Gatherings with Physical Distancing of 50 or fewer Public gatherings with physical distancing of 50 or fewer are now allowed. This will make it possible for larger religious services, weddings, and funerals to take place. The limit on gatherings will be reviewed on a regular basis according to risk based on the evolution of the situation in New Brunswick. – Expected to be announced on Friday, May 29th

For additional information on businesses and impacts of the third phase of business reactivation please CLICK HERE. While golf clubs have been given increased flexibility, services will vary from club to club.  Golfers should note that there are several restrictions that are still in place, which for the time being will be consistent across the province, including but not limited too;

• Power Carts may only be used by one individual for the duration of the round.
  • Note: Exceptions are in place for members of the same household or Family & Friends Bubble.

• Flag Sticks – Golfers can continue to expect to be asked not to touch the flagstick, and to leave the flag still in the cup at all times.

• Raised Cups – Raised cups are no longer required, but golfers can expect to see facilities continue to reduce a golfer’s ability to remove their ball from the hole. Clubs may choose to use a “hands-free” ball retrieval device or may continue to block the cup entirely.

• Washrooms – Golfers can expect continued restrictions on access to washrooms and locker rooms.

Please contact your favorite facilities for available services and restrictions and stay connected to our social media channels and website for continued updates regarding the 2020 season.  ]]>

Click here for the province’s return to activity plan. ]]>

Orange), several activities and openings are permitted, subject to maintaining physical distancing measures, general guidelines from Public Health and the Guidelines for New Brunswick Workplaces issued by WorkSafe NB” (Health, Office of the Premier, COVID-19 – May 8, 2020).  Golf facilities are now able to prepare an operational plan that meets or exceeds the general guidelines from Public Health paving the way for;

• Reduced Tee Time Intervals

• Renting of Pull Carts

• Opening of Pro Shops (Retail)

• Expanded Food & Beverage Services (Restaurants)

“Golf will not be business as usual,” said Tyson Flinn, Executive Director of Golf NB.  “We are still very early in the process and each club will be able to offer different service levels based on their individual capacities.  Patience will be very important as the industry continues to change throughout the season, but for now, we are pleased to know that golf facilities now have a greater latitude to provide a safe and efficient golfing experience for players.” While golf clubs have been given flexibility, and services will vary from club to club, golfers should note that there are several restrictions that are still in place, and which for the time being will be consistent across the province, including but not limited too;

• Power Carts may only be used by one individual for the duration of the round.
  • Note: Exceptions are in place for members of the same household.

• Flag Sticks – Golfers can continue to expect to be asked not to touch the flagstick, and to leave the flag still in the cup at all times.

• Raised Cups – Raised cups are no longer required, but golfers can expect to see facilities continue to reduce a golfer’s ability to remove their ball from the hole. Clubs may choose to use a “hands-free” ball retrieval device or may continue to block the cup entirely.

• Washrooms – Golfers can expect continued restrictions on access to washrooms and locker rooms.

Please contact your favorite facilities for available services and restrictions and stay connected to our social media channels and website for continued updates regarding the 2020 season.]]>

Top 10 Guidelines & Best Practices For Golfers

Developed in collaboration with the Atlantic Allied Golf Associations

The following are guidelines and recommendations only. Protocols and service levels will differ by golf course and golfers should ALWAYS defer to the instructions and guidelines as set forth by the golf course. 

REFERENCE	RECOMMENDATIONS	RECOMMENDED / MANDATED
1	Physical Distancing – Practice physical distancing by staying a minimum of two (2) meters away from other people AT ALL TIMES.  Do not shake hands or high five to celebrate, a tip of the cap will do.	MANDATED by Province of NB
2	All players must have a tee time – No walk-on players will be permitted.	RECOMMENDED
3	Pre-Pay Where Possible Make every effort to Pre-Pay for rounds of golf and power carts Cash cannot be accepted	RECOMMENDED
4	Arrive at the golf course no earlier then 20 minutes prior to you tee time If you are early, wait in your car until it is time to make your way to the 1st tee or clubhouse. Change shoes and prepare equipment in the parking lot before moving to the 1st tee or clubhouse.	RECOMMENDED
5	Follow golf club signage – Obey all directives from course staff and volunteers	RECOMMENDED
6	Practice Facilities Driving Range – Only use the club to touch the golf ball DO NOT touch the golf ball & DO NOT tee up the golf ball Putting & Chipping Greens – Maintain Physical Distancing ONLY touch your own equipment	RECOMMENDED
7	Power Carts – Limit of one person per golf cart AT ALL TIMES The person who rents the power cart is the ONLY person who can be on / use the cart for the duration of the round Note: Exemptions to the above apply if occupants reside in the same household and bubble families and friends.  Be advised, each club will have their own policies surrounding whether members of “bubble families and friends”  can share a power cart or not.  Golfers should ALWAYS defer to the instructions and guidelines as set forth by the golf course.	MANDATED by Province of NB / RECOMMENDED
8	Maintain physical distance & Pace of Play Keep NO LESS than ½ of a hole between your group, the group ahead, and the group behind to avoid backups on tees or around greens.	RECOMMENDED
9	DO NOT TOUCH on course items such as; The Flag Stick / Pin MUST remain in the hole (Mandate) Rakes & Ball Washers MUST not be used (Mandate) Smooth bunkers with your foot Bring your own towel to clean your golf ball Benches, shoe scrapers, club cleaners, sand buckets, broken or discarded tees	MANDATED by Province of NB / RECOMMENDED
10	After your round – Return Power Carts Promptly as instructed Leave the Golf Course as promptly and safely as possible	RECOMMENDED

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April 24, 2020 During these challenging times in Atlantic Canada, golf associations have come together to pool resources and expertise in order to clearly define a safe path for the golf industry as we navigate through the current challenges that we face. The Atlantic Allied Golf Associations applaud the work of our health officials, our essential workers and various Government Agencies and Health Authorities for their active roles in ensuring the continued safety of our citizens, our communities, our provinces and our nation. With no immediate end to the current health crisis on the horizon and the impacts on our citizens, businesses and communities mounting daily, we appreciate the challenges government officials are facing when deciding on the movement of people and the operation of businesses. With the start to the Atlantic Canadian golf season just around the corner, the Atlantic Allied Golf Associations are working closely with our golf courses and our national and international partners to ensure that the health and safety of our facility staff and the general public is our top priority. There is a great deal of information readily available from multiple jurisdictions however the specific governmental and health requirements vary greatly from region to region, province to province and country to country. We are currently compiling relevant best practices and are consulting with various provincial governments and health authorities to identify key benchmarks and health and safety guidelines. These will be distributed to our partner facilities once they are identified and properly vetted so that they meet the appropriate requirements from the Government of Canada, our specific provinces and the various municipalities in our provinces. We are all anxious to get the golf season up and running but we understand the dilemmas that our government and health officials face, especially when determining whether to allow some businesses to operate and the financial impacts these decisions will have on our communities moving forward. It is our goal that golf can be one of the businesses allowed to open during the first wave of openings given its ability to include guidelines for our clubs to follow that will allow for safe operation while offering an opportunity for the physical and mental well-being of our citizens. The Atlantic Allied Golf Associations will continue to respect and support the positions of the federal and provincial Governments and the Chief Medical Officers of Health as we look forward to the time when the golf industry can help our communities heal by playing its part in providing a safe and responsible recreational opportunity for our citizens while also getting individuals back to work. We will continue to work together with our partner facilities to prepare for the 2020 season and ensure that, once golf courses are allowed to safely open, clubs in Atlantic Canada are organized and well prepared to operate with the health and safety of players and staff members as a top priority. Sincerely, Atlantic Allied Golf Associations

Lindon Garron	– Executive Director, PGA Atlantic
Jim Thompson	– Regional Director, Atlantic Chapter National Golf Course Owners Association of Canada
Jim Nix	– Executive Director, Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association
Tyson Flinn	– Executive Director, Golf New Brunswick
David Campbell	– Executive Director, Nova Scotia Golf Association
Sean Joyce	– Representative, Prince Edward Island Golf Association
Greg Hillier	– Executive Director, Golf Newfoundland Labrador
Jeffrey Hutt	– Regional Director, Atlantic Canada, Golf Canada

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th, Premier Blaine Higgs announced that golf courses will be included in the first phase of business reactivation in New Brunswick.  In his statement, Premier Higgs confirmed that golf courses would be able to resume operations at their discretion under specified restrictions as provided by the Province of New Brunswick and the office of the Chief Medical Officer.

• CLICK HERE for the latest COVID-19 Update from the Province of New Brunswick
• CLICK HERE for a full “Guidance Document of General Public Health Measures During COVID-19 Recovery” as per from the Province of New Brunswick
  • CLIQUEZ ICI pour le “Document d’orientation des mesures générales de santé publique pendant la récupération de COVID-19” complet, selon la province du Nouveau-Brunswick

While we are pleased that our sport is part of the initial services to be re-opened in Phase 1 of the provinces’ plan, the re-opening of services remains a fluid situation with a number of details yet to come. Golf NB is currently in consultation with the Province of New Brunswick, our member clubs, and partner associations to ensure the health and safety of players and staff remains a top priority as golf courses in our province open in the upcoming weeks. Please stay connected to our social media channels and website for more information regarding the opening of golf courses for the 2020 season.  ]]>

“non-allowable” businesses and told to close. No courses were open to play but several across Saskatchewan closed their year-round restaurants or banquet services due to the spread of the virus. Moe said during the announcement the government is trying to find balance of health and safety. “We have to find the middle ground that continues to keep our case numbers low and keep Saskatchewan people safe while at the same time allowing for businesses to reopen and Saskatchewan people to get back to work,” Moe said. Every province across Canada had shut down golf except British Columbia. Courses could use their own discretion. The clubs were allowing play with conditions regarding social distancing and other measures, the same will be for Saskatchewan. Courses will need to adhere to these mandates:

• Physical distancing
• One person to a cart (walking encouraged)
• Raised cups with flags in
• No walk-ons, all players must have tee times
• Tee times 20 minutes apart
• Rakes and ball washers removed
• Public washrooms will be closed
• Driving ranges and putting greens closed
• Locker rooms closed

The Government of Saskatchewan has their five phase plan laid out here and distributed a “Re-Open Plan.” More golf course guidelines can be found on page 35. Courses will need to keep their restaurants closed for seating, curbside pickup will be allowed. Eating and licensed establishments such as clubhouses are included in phase 3 of the reopen plan but no date was given. Public gatherings are still restricted to under 10. Golf Saskatchewan, as part of the allied golf associations, has been working with the government (Canadian Society of Club Managers – Saskatchewan Branch, National Golf Course Owners Association Canada – Prairie Chapter, Professional Golfers Association of Canada – Saskatchewan Zone, and Saskatchewan Turfgrass Association) with the hopes of reopening the sport of golf safely during the pandemic. Golf Saskatchewan executive director Brian Lee said he’s pleased the announcement, but safety is still top priority for the people of the province. “We are pleased with the outcome of today’s announcements. The Government of Saskatchewan’s Business Response Team was great to work with during the lead up to the announcement today. The allied golf associations look forward to working with the Government of Saskatchewan in the days ahead to ensure the health and safety of all the stakeholders and participants as our sport reopens, under the COVID-19 procedures and guidelines,” Lee stated. Golf Saskatchewan’s provincial championship schedule has not been modified as of today, but will review our procedures and rules for our events in the coming days and weeks. The start of the official season was April 15, scoring for the new World Handicap System will begin when courses open. Parks and campgrounds will be open on June 1.

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Click here to view Golf Canada’s COVID-19 Resource Page.

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Province of New Brunswick – State of Emergency On March 19, 2020 the Province of New Brunswick declared the State of Emergency and ordered the closure, or modification, of a great number of industries in the province.  On April 16, 2020, Premier Blaine Higgs extended New Brunswick’s State of Emergency for an additional two week period, through April 30, 2020 and noted that the “order will be reassessed after two weeks and will be extended as needed.”

• CLICK HERE for the full media release.

For the time being, as per Section 5 of the Province of New Brunswick’s Declaration of a State of Emergency and Revised Mandatory Order issued March 25, 2020, all Golf Courses are to remain closed until further notice; Renewed and Revised Mandatory Order (COVID-19) Section 5)  All swimming pools, spas, saunas, dance studios, rinks and arenas, tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields, climbing walls, escape rooms, ski hills, golf courses, arcades, amusement centers, pool halls, bowling alleys, casinos, cinemas, libraries, museums, zoos, aquaria, barbers, hairstylists, esthetics service providers, pet groomers, sugar bush operations (public-admitting portions), and theatres or other live performance venues are prohibited from admitting patrons. As mandated by the Province of New Brunswick – individuals are prohibited from playing golf on public or private golf courses during the Declaration of a State of Emergency and Revised Mandatory Order,  until New Brunswick golf courses are given permission to open. Golf NB shares in the disappointment of those affected by the current State of Emergency in the Province and thank all for their understanding during this extraordinary time.]]>

Golf NB Office Closure – Immediately through May 3, 2020 The Golf NB office will be closed to the public through May 3, 2020.  The situation will be re-evaluated as of April 30, 2020 for further action. While the Golf NB offices will be closed to the public, Golf NB continues to plan for the 2020 golf season and staff will remain available to provide support and answer any questions via normal communication methods. Golf New Brunswick E-Mail: info@golfnb.ca Phone: 506-451-1324 Golf NB Handicap Certification Seminars – March 21, 28 & April 18, 2020 All Golf NB Handicap Certification Seminars have been postponed until further notice.  The committee’s decision will be re-evaluated as of April 30, 2020 for further action. In the meantime, there are several online resources that clubs can access in order to familiarize themselves with the new World Handicap System.  While these resources will not result in “Certification” they will provide a solid knowledge base for facilities to bridge the gap until certification seminars can be rescheduled.

• Washington State Golf Association (You Tube Presentation) – CLICK HERE
• R & A – World Handicap System Videos – CLICK HERE
• Rules of Handicapping – Effective January 2020 – CLICK HERE
• Golf Canada Handicapping Information – CLICK HERE

Golf NB Spring Board of Directors Meeting – April 25, 2020 The 2020 Golf NB Spring Board of Directors Meeting has been POSTPONED.  Golf NB will NOT hold a “Face to Face” 2020 Golf NB Spring Board of Directors Meeting, but will instead explore the option of holding a streamlined Spring Board of Directors Meeting, either via conference call or webinar to ensure that required business is conducted. Additional information will be provided to facilities as it becomes available. 2020 Golf NB Events & Championships Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) will make decisions regarding individual events and championships a minimum of 3 weeks in advance of the championship.  Golf NB strongly recommends that competitors enter any events scheduled in which they intend to play this season. In the event Golf NB cancels the event or the competitor needs to withdraw, entry fees will be 100% refunded. Decisions on whether an event will proceed will be made and communicated to each competitor no later than 3 weeks prior to the start of the event. As an example, the NB Men’s Four Ball is scheduled to start Saturday May 23, 2020. Golf NB will advise no later than Saturday May 2, 2020 if the event will be held. Refunds of entry fees will be processed as soon as possible in the event of cancellation. Golf NB reserves the right to cancel any Golf NB event or championship should the registered number of competitors be insufficient to justify holding the event at the conclusion of registration. In general, Golf NB will require 25% of the maximum field as outlined in the Tournament Information Page for each event. If Golf NB cancels the event as a result of insufficient registrations, entry fees will be 100% refunded.  This procedure will remain in place through the balance of the championship season. Championships will be cancelled not postponed. Conclusion Considering the heightened global concerns surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus), Golf New Brunswick (Golf NB) is closely monitoring Health Canada and Government resources as well as consulting with our partners including Golf Canada, all Provincial Golf Associations, Sport NB and the other Provincial Sport Organizations in New Brunswick. COVID-19 is something that the entire sport and golf community both internationally and domestically are taking seriously, especially with respect to the health and well-being of our people as well as any potential impact on our athletes or events. Golf NB strongly recommends that everyone follow the recommendations from the New Brunswick Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Heath and the World Health Organization as we all do our part to help slow the spread of the virus;

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-hand sanitizer
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough, or sneeze
• If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve
• Stay at home when you are sick

Golf NB would like to thank you for your patience, support, and understanding and we wish each of you and families and friends all the best in these difficult times. Please direct any questions by email to: Tyson Flinn               tflinn@golfnb.ca Luke Lacey               llacey@golfnb.ca]]>